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The Challenge

London South Bank University was preparing for REF 2021 and wanted an external entity to supplement their efforts in reviewing impact case studies

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The Solution

The Impact Science team, under the guidance of the Research Engagement Manager, reviewed the case studies as per the specifications given by the university and within the stipulated timeframe. The team provided detailed assessments and feedback.

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The Impact

The university was ready to submit the case studies for assessment on time and were able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each case study.

The REF and impact team at the university found the reviews and feedback very helpful and reached out to Impact Science for support on a larger batch of case studies.

Background

London South Bank University (LSBU) is one of London’s largest and oldest universities. Established in 1892, it has been providing vocationally relevant, accredited, and professionally recognized education to over 18,000 students from over 130 countries.

In November 2016, LSBU was named the Entrepreneurial University of the year at the Times Higher Education Awards. It has invested resources in supporting its research impact and its submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Like other universities in the UK, London South Bank University was deep in the throes of its preparations for REF 2021. The REF and LSBU’s impact team contacted Impact Science to provide a set of impact case study reviews.

Strategy & Approach

LSBU wanted an independent external assessment of their draft case studies to supplement their own support of their case study authors.

The Impact Science team, comprising impact assessment experts and the Research Engagement Manager, reviewed each case study as per LSBU’s specification, and covered the criteria

Conclusion

The case studies covered a range of Units of Assessment and were in varying states of maturity. LSBU found the detailed feedback and suggestions for further action valuable and soon ordered another, larger batch of case study assessments to be carried out by the Impact Science team.

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"As we move into the critical period of our REF submission, the reviews conducted by Impact Science have not only given us some fantastic insight into the strengths of our impact case studies, they have also provided detailed, tailored, and realistic advice on areas to improve. The reviews proved to be exactly what we were looking for and were delivered comfortably within our required timeframe."

The REF and impact team at LSBU